*This ones dedicated to... all of you.

**********

I slid out of the car, running my hands down the fabric of the royal blue dress - a classy, figure hugging thing that ended just below my knees. It was one of Sarah's press junket dress's that she'd loaned me after I had a momentary panic attack in front of my closet over an hour ago.

I'd felt appropriately dressed, pretty even, before we arrived, but one look at the couples making their way inside had me second guessing myself, as if I had arrived at some sort of black tie event instead of a memorial for someone's grandad.

Ethan closed the door behind me, reading my mind. "You look beautiful Eve... although I would have liked it more if you'd worn my jacket." His lips quirked. "Well, your jacket now I suppose."

Half-smile Ethan was my favorite, and if I thought he was handsome before, Ethan York in a dark, fitted suit was a whole other level of gorgeous. His hair, always cut severely short at the sides, but tousled on top, was slicked back, somehow making his sharp cheekbones and jawline stand out even more... and his soft lips that more kissable for it.

Gah! Funeral Eve. We're at a funeral, pull yourself together.

He took my hand, leading me up a dozen perfectly laid brick steps and I smiled. "So you said earlier, but I think you would have been the only one who appreciated it. This doesn't look like a leather jacket crowd."

The couple in front of us entered, and the door softly shut while we still stood in the crisp afternoon air. He brought our joined hands to his mouth and brushed his lips along my knuckles. "Good thing I'm the only one that matters then." He winked to let me know he was joking, but my legs, not to mention my heart, felt unsteady and I stumbled a bit in my heels.

"Come on clumsy," he chuckled. "Let's get this shit show over with."

He pushed the door open and we stepped through. The foyer was filled with the mingling elite of New York - most of whom paused their conversations for a second when their eyes swept over Ethan. If the not so subtle stares bothered him, he didn't show it - sliding my long coat off my shoulders and handing it to a man near the door. He leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Just remember. These are not people... they're wolves."

I nodded as we entered the room, my hand still clutched tightly in his. Everything was dark wood, from the floors to the paneled walls. A chandelier hung from the ceiling that looked like it was made out of hundreds of golden leafs, blown together by an autumn breeze. My eyes traveled up farther, and the ceiling - wow - I felt like I was seeing a smaller, more intimate version of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. I tried to make sure my mouth wasn't gaping as I walked through the room with my head tilted back.

"Eve?"

I startled. "Dad?" He and Elizabeth stood in front of us, hand in hand, but Elizabeth quickly broke off to wrap her arms around me.

"It's so, so nice to see you again." She released me, but held me at arms length a second longer before turning to her son and giving him a hug as well.

"I -" I wasn't quite sure what to say. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. And thank you for coming with Ethan. We could use another friendly face in this crowd."

I nodded, feeling eyes on us, as if they were dissecting our every move.

I hadn't even realized he was still holding it, until Ethan let go of my hand and reached out to my dad. "Thank you for brining my mom, Adam. I told her not to come, but she insisted."

He still didn't look thrilled that I was here, but relented, returning Ethan's hand shake. "You know your mom, she does what she wants. There was no way I was letting her come here alone though."

Someone in the standard white, dress shirt and black pants came by with a a tray of wine and we each took a glass.

"This is an... odd funeral," I mumbled as I took a sip, the flavor exploding on my tongue as if I'd never actually tasted wine before in my life.

Ethan shook his head. "For rich people, funerals are one last extravagant display of wealth. Teddy would have hated this though."

"Teddy?" I asked.

"My grandfather," he said, eyeing the people around us over the rim of his glass. "He came from a ridiculous amount of money, but he was a self made man. Never touched a penny of his families fortune."

My dad put his arm around Elizabeth's back, agreeing. "He was one of the good ones."

Just then, something bumped into me and half of my glass sloshed onto the front of Sarah's dress.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry." A feminine voice came from behind me.

I turned to find a statuesque, blonde woman around my age. One slender hand gripping a drink, the other pressed to her chest in surprise. "I am so clumsy," she cooed.

Ethan put a hand on my lower back. "Clare."

She pretended to be surprised. "Ethan York, there you are." She touched his other arm like they were old friends. "It's been forever. The circumstances are terrible, but I was hoping I would get a chance to see you."

"Apparently, it hasn't been long enough. If you'll excuse us, I need to take Eve to get cleaned up." His jaw was locked, and while his words were friendly enough, his demeanor said otherwise.

Her smile was practiced and calculating - not the slightest concern about his brush off. "Of course. Eve was it?"

I returned the smile, not forgetting what Ethan had told me about wolves. "Yes."

"It's been a pleasure." She turned to leave. "Dreadfully sorry about that... dress."

Sure you are. Bitch.

Elizabeth touched my shoulder. "I'm not sure we'll be able to get much out, but do you want me to show you where the bathroom is?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Ethan beat me to it. "I'll take her. You stick close to Adam."

***

I hadn't managed to do anything more than make the spot more visible by adding water, and finally gave up, exiting the bathroom to find Ethan leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

I stepped up to him and shrugged. "This is as good as it gets."

He reached out, pushing a strand of hair that had fallen from the twist in the back, behind my ear. "And still the prettiest girl in the room."

My face flamed as we stood in front of each other, our breath mingling. His eyes slowly turning black. "So," I said, breaking the silence. "Are you ready to go back out there?"

Ethan sighed, scrubbing his face with his hand. "No." The strong facade he came in with, seemed to be cracking. The sad, tired boy who lost someone he cared deeply for slipping through.

I tried to think of something to say, and on a whim, "show me your favorite room."

He shook his head. "I haven't been here in ten years. This place isn't a home to me. Honestly, I don't even think I'm welcome here."

"What do you mean you're not welcome here?"

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but an older man came strolling down the hallway. He was polished and well dressed with a tumbler of dark liquid in his hand. He stopped a few feet away from us, looking like he was ready to spit acid. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the fucking stray who stole my dad's money."

I gasped, and Ethan subtlety stepped in front of me. On the outside he looked composed, but I could see an animal shifting just under his skin. "I told you last time Frank. You can have the fucking money."

**********

Things are starting to get interesting right?

Sorry it's late! I planned on having this up a couple hours ago, but I ended up going snowshoeing instead. We finally had some sun in the blustery north!

I'm half asleep, and my butt muscles are sore, but I am sooo looking forward to your comments my loves ❤️

Talk soon.

With love always,

xxxBre

tracisek requested Photos of Ethan wearing a suit. Here's the best I could come up with. Lol

Ps. Thank you to all my Book friends who keep me writing with your amazing... and often hilarious comments.

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